20.10.12

The long lines are something you hardly remember after your finally chased out of the end. I saw common tricks that only true haunters would know like thread hanging from the ceiling.
Ignoring the rules, I poked firmly at the very convincing foam brick walls, they weren't real. Very cool I thought. The walls were amazing but as I continued on the walls became less apparent to me and part of the overall atmosphere. There was tons of atmosphere in this haunt. And a variety of different themes always changing really threw any predictive skills in the fire. In the fire to burn and your left with a great sense of fun, or fear if you're not a haunter or something.
It was hard to take the big animatronics as real because I nearly studied them already online. Nonetheless I think that even if I did, I still wouldn't be scared because we all know a "robot" when we see one. Among the big robots were other big things, some not working as they should (like that spider on a crate pneumatic, it was hibernating). And props. There was a good variety of props, but no shortage of hanging body's. I gave the hanging bodies a nudge to get them swinging for the people behind me because its so much more scary when something like that is moving in strobe light. In one section the floor was slanted at a significant angle and a crazy old lady made use of loud noises to startle folks. As I walked out of that room I heard her say "Watch your step around here!" and I thought, 'I really hope she wasn't instructed to warn that subtly over and over'; just the kind of thing anyone else would wonder... It's a strange experience being a haunter yourself and going through a professional haunt. It's not like going through a home haunt where you can compliment or critique with the creator. Instead you shut up and go along for the ride. While trying to let your mind trick you into thinking its real you may also perhaps analyze or recognize a prop. It's a minor inconvenience on this case because of how well put together it is. My favorite parts were the mirror maze, the spinning tunnel, and the slanted room. These are the sections that further engage the act of fooling your mind into thinking its real. And they were simply fun to walk through. So my final verdict is, if you have not looked at pro haunt props much, then go to this haunt! It's well thought out, put together splendidly, and the actors were great.

Some tips: 1. Buy your tickets online. 2. Get VIP, the line is at least 2 times shorter, but not instant. 3. Be ready to go through with a big group. 4. The haunt is a long walk through (about 45 minutes, it seemed) and indoors with heavy fog. 5. This is the original 13th Floor and the one in Phoenix is not as good

14.10.12

"The Raven" is a very clever explanation of Edgar Alan Poe's poems and life. The stories all come to life as Edgar realizes that all his dark works are a burden upon himself. It was a movie that left me in a state of awe but also deep thought. I think that those two states of mind don't sound well together however, I am not sure how to explain my reaction better than that. Please go see it and please, purchase/rent it because this writing (script/movie writing) originates from a genius.